Third day on Bactrim- slight itchiness on face/neck

Hi Evanston -

I took Bactrim too and it worked wonders for me. It was the drug switch from doxy to bactrim plus zithromax that ultimately lead me to beating lyme and bartonella.

It is very common for people to be allergic to sulfa drugs. You have an option of course to take your morning dose, if you do, I would have benadryl on hand.

What I would honestly do if I were you is the following - I would not take it for 3 days, this way it will be completely out of your system. See if the itchiness subsides, Then on the 4th day, take it again and see what happens. You really cannot be sure if it is the Bactrim unless you stop it and restart it. Definitely call your Dr, tell your Dr what has happened,and ask your Dr if he/she would agree with this plan.

You are on 2 other antibiotics - so it can get tricky. Even if you have been on an antibiotic for a while, you can still develop an allergic reaction later on - so it may be the bactrim, or it may be the ceftin (people are not usually allergic to zithromax). I am actually allergic to ceftin, which is why my Dr put me on Bactrim instead. I managed well with only taking 2 antibiotics and alot of herbs.

btw are you allergic to any other meds, like penicillin, amoxicillin or augmentin?

Good Luck, I hope it's not an allergy, bc it is a great drug, but for some reason it is just not very popular in the lyme world.

I took Bactrim Ds twice a day in addition to zithromax for the last 4 months of my treatment

sure that sounds like a good plan to me, just have benadryl handy, bc the itchiness can lead to worse symptoms if you continue to take something you are allergic to. If hives start to show up I would discontinue it!!

it can be, but less commonly.

honestly speaking, itchiness can also be a sign of herxing.

it can get very confusing!

It might be an allergic reaction. I ended up realizing I was allergic after about 7 days. Be careful. It made the bacteria in my joints die too quickly and messed up my elbow. The 2nd day I was on bactrim I noticed there was rough skin and swelling (felt like lentils) on the outside of my elbows. Now my left elbow cracks and grinds. It isn't right and I am guessing it wouldn't be like this if I didn't take bactrim.